A Shs 2 billion fish landing facility on the shores of Lake Albert in Hoima district has been rendered non-functional after being submerged by rising water levels.
Mbegu Fish Handling Facility, located at Mbegu landing site, was constructed in 2017 with funding from the African Development Bank (ADB) under the multi-national Lakes Edward and Albert Integrated Fisheries and Water Resources Management (LEAF 2) project.
The facility was designed to improve fish handling practices, ensuring better quality and standards for fish processed and sold across the country.
Equipped with a fish storage area, inspection facilities, drying racks, open sheds for silverfish packing, and waterborne toilets, the facility was a critical resource for the local fishing community. However, since September 2024, flooding from Lake Albert has submerged large sections of the facility, forcing all operations to a standstill.
Local leaders and fishermen have expressed deep concern over the impact of the flooding. Robert Gingyera, LC II chairperson for Mbegu Parish, described the situation as a major setback.
“The facility has been idle since then, with no other place to store or process fish properly,” he said.
Moses Onen, chairperson of Mbegu B landing site, highlighted how the flooding has severely compromised fish quality, saying without a proper storage facility, the fishermen have no means to preserve their catch, which affects both quality and market value.
Gilbert Balikurungi, a fisherman at the site, noted that the damage was extensive and would have long-term consequences on the fishing industry.
Felix Ongi, Hoima district’s secretary for production and natural resources, emphasized the facility’s crucial role in preserving fish quality and ensuring hygienic processing. He said the facility’s submersion puts the entire sector at risk.
This situation echoes the fate of the Kaiso Fish Handling Facility at Kaiso landing site in Buseruka Sub-county, which was completely submerged in 2020 due to rising Lake Albert waters. The Kaiso facility, built in 2012 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries with Shs 800 million in funding from the Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA), remains non-operational to date.